Devi Mahathmyam/Sapthasathi

The greatness of the Devi Mahatmyam is extensively explained in several texts such as Rudra Yamala, Marichikalpa, Meru Tantra, Kataka Tantra, Chidambara Rahasya etc. The Devi Mahatmyam has the ability to grant the fruits as per the upasana. A sakama upasaka (one who does sadhana with a specific desire or goal in mind) achieves whatever he aspires for while a nishkama upasaka (one who does sadhana without any expectation or desire) achieves moksha, as revealed in the story. Suratha the king was bestowed with unmixed prosperity whereas the merchant Samadhi was conferred with divine knowledge according to their own aspirations. If Sri Chandi is pleased, she confers on her devotees both earthly prosperity as well as supreme knowledge. Matsya Purana prescribes recitation of Chandi three times for cure from physical ailments,
five times for relief from malefic planets, seven times for relief from impending disaster, nine times for ensuring peace, eleven times for winning royal favours, twelve times for overpowering foes, twenty five times for release from prison, thirty times for cure from cancer, a hundred times for relief from great dishonour, one thousand times to mitigate loss of wealth and for steady prosperity.

Description

Devi Mahatmyam describes the story of how Devi (mother Goddess) killed Madhu and Kaidabha as Vishnu Maya (Thamasic-base), killed Mahishasura as Lakshmi (Rajashic form-materialistic) and killed Shumbha and Nishumbha in the form of Goddess Saraswati (Sathvic-spiritual). It is mentioned in the Markandeya purana. Devi Mahatmyam is also known as Saptashti because it contains 700 mantras (7= sapta and 100=ashta.) and 518 verses. There is another opinion that the name should be Saptasati as it deals with the story of seven Satis .The seven mothers are Brāhmi, Māheśwari, Kaumāri, Vaisṇavi, Vārāhi, Indrāṇi, and Cāmunḍa.

One of the important parts of this Holy Scripture is the stories of Markandeya which explain stories that lord Markandeya narrated to Jamini and his students. These stories talk about the brave conquests of the Devi against several demons.

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